(U) There is no appeal process for
visa refusals; however, applicants and their representatives of record may pose
legal questions regarding pending or recently completed visa cases by email to LegalNet@State.gov.
See 9 FAM
601.7-3 for information regarding correspondence with attorneys or other
intermediaries.

a. (U) The Visa Office has a
dedicated email channel, LegalNet@State.gov, available only for case-specific questions
on the interpretation or application of immigration law. LegalNet serves to
ensure a streamlined legal review of inquiries involving legal issues, so
inquirers receive an answer in an efficient manner. The LegalNet staff works
with posts and other divisions in the Visa Office to prepare responses to
appropriate inquiries that involve legal issues.

b. (U) Posts can refer
applicants and their representatives to LegalNet at any time, provided the
inquiry falls within the scope of 9 FAM 103.4-2
paragraph c, below. An applicant or representative submitting an inquiry to
LegalNet should make sure the inquiry falls within one of the categories listed
in paragraph c, below, and ensure that the request includes all of the required
information and documents listed in 9 FAM 103.4-3.

c. (U) LegalNet will provide
substantive responses only to the following categories of inquiries:

(1) (U) Legal questions about
a specific case when the applicant or representative has attempted to contact
post at least twice without receiving a final response, and where 30 days have
passed since the second inquiry (unless action is required sooner to avert
significant harm to the applicant);

(2) (U) Legal questions about
a specific case in which the applicant or representative has received a final
response from post, but believes it to be wrong as a matter of law;

d. (U) For all other inquiries,
LegalNet will respond with a message providing the public inquiries telephone
number or other point of contact information, as appropriate.

e. (U) LegalNet will not
provide a substantive response to the categories of inquiries listed below.
Instead, LegalNet may provide a standard form response, listing communication
channels potentially available for such inquiries.

(1) (U) Questions from anyone
other than an applicant or representative of record;

(2) (U) Requests to review
factual determinations made by a U.S. consular officer, including a refusal
under INA 214(b) in a B1/B2 visa application;

(3) (U) Requests for case
status updates;

(4) (U) Questions that are
general, speculative, or hypothetical in nature;

(5) (U) Legal questions in
cases where the consular officer has not yet reached a final determination of
the applicant's eligibility for a visa, except as outlined in (c)(3 and 4)
above;

(6) (U) Matters relating to
visa cases that have already been returned to a USCIS Service Center;

(10) (U) Requests for
explanations of visa revocations or cancellations;

(11) (U) Requests for the Visa
Office to forward additional documentation to post;

(12) (U) Requests regarding a
case that is still being processed at the National Visa Center, including those
relating to an Affidavit of Support, immigrant visa fee, case status, or
procedural information;

a. (U) Within seven (7)
business days of receiving a new inquiry that meets all requirements above,
LegalNet will provide notice that the inquiry has been received and is being
processed. The time frame for substantive responses depends on the complexity
of the matter and availability of essential information.

b. (U) Applicants or designated
representatives may submit a follow-up email to LegalNet, along with copies of
any earlier LegalNet correspondence, if no substantive response is received
from LegalNet within thirty (30) days of the initial notice that the inquiry is
being processed.

(U) The following non-binding,
internal guidelines relate to allocation of responsibilities and aspirational
timelines. These are documented to assist State Department personnel and
promote internal consistency, transparency, and accountability. The guidelines
may not be relied upon by the public and may not be referenced for any purpose
other than State Department internal monitoring of case progress. LegalNet should
not be requested or expected to disclose the status of cases under
consideration. Depending on the complexity of the inquiry and workloads of
relevant posts and offices, the guidelines below may not apply.

(e) (U) A, G, and NATO Visa
inquiries will be forwarded to the Diplomatic Liaison Division (CA/VO/DO) or to
CA/VO/L/A (as appropriate);

(f) (U) Petition-based legal
inquiries will be forwarded to CA/VO/L/A and or Post (as appropriate).

(3) (U) LegalNet staff will
maintain and update an internal tracker on the shared (S) drive for all incoming
legal inquiries and outgoing replies.

(4) (U) LegalNet staff will
draft and send final responses to requesters after collecting and consolidating
input from relevant offices.

(5) (U) Target Timelines:

(a) (U) LegalNet will send an
automated "Acknowledgement of Receipt" advising requesters that their
inquiry has been received and is being processed.

(b) (U) LegalNet staff should
aim to forward inquiries to appropriate offices via Action Officers within five
(5) working days of receiving the inquiry.

(c) (U) Where no additional
information is required, Action Officers in the appropriate office should aim
to respond to LegalNet requests within five (5) working days.

(d) (U) Where additional
information is required, Action Officers should aim to make relevant requests
within ten (10) days of receipt of the inquiry from LegalNet.

(e) (U) Posts should aim to
respond to requests for additional information for a LegalNet inquiry within
ten (10) days of receipt of the request, if the information is in the post's
possession. Action Officers should contact posts that have not responded to
requests within eleven (11) days, and should continue to follow-up with posts
bi-weekly.

(f) (U) Action Officers should
aim to send draft responses to LegalNet within five (5) working days after all
required input and information is obtained.

(g) (U) Action Officers should
include LegalNet on all communications regarding a case and LegalNet should
record all significant actions in the tracker, as appropriate.